Vanisri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vanisri
Born	Rathna Kumari Nellore, Madras State, India
Other names	Kalabhinetri
Occupation	Actress politician
Years active	1962–1980 1989–2004
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Dr. Karunakaran ​ (m. 1978)​
Awards	Filmfare Awards Nandi Award

Vanisri (born Rathna Kumari) is a famous Indian actress. She is well-known for her movies, mostly in the Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada languages. She acted for 40 years! During her amazing career, she won many awards. These include three Filmfare Awards South, the Nandi Awards, and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

Vanisri's Acting Journey

Vanisri started her acting career in 1962. Her first movie was the Telugu film Bhishma. She began to get noticed for her acting in the film Sukha Dukhalu. This movie was written by the famous director K. Balachander. She also gained attention in Marapurani Katha (1967).

Vanisri starred in many super hit films. Some of these popular movies include Krishnaveni, Prem Nagar, and Dussehra Bullodu. Other hits were Aradhana, Jeevitha Chakram, Rangula Ratnam, and Sri Krishna Tulabharam. She also acted in Bhakta Kannappa and Bobbili Raja.

She was very talented and played two roles in several movies. These include Iddaru Ammayilu (1972) and Ganga Manga (1973). She also played dual roles in Jeevana Jyothi (1975) and Chilipi Krishnudu (1978). Vanisri also helped fund and starred in Anugraham (1977). This was the only Telugu film made by the director Shyam Benegal.

Vanisri worked with many big stars. She acted in three films with actor M. G. R. These movies were Kannan En Kadhalan (1968), Thalaivan (1970), and Oorukku Uzhaippavan (1976).

She also made 20 Telugu films with Akkineni Nageshwara Rao. With Super Star Krishna, she acted in 18 Telugu films. Some of these were Marapurani Katha, Ganga Manga, Cheekati velugulu, and Illu Illalu. She worked with Sivaji Ganesan in 10 films. These include Uyarntha Manithan (1968), Vasantha Maligai (1972), and Vani Rani (1974). In 2013, she received the state Raghupathi Venkaiah Award. This award was for her great contributions to Telugu cinema.

Life Outside the Movies

Vanisri married Dr. Karunkaran in 1978. After her marriage, she took a break from acting. The couple has a son and a daughter.

Vanisri returned to acting in 1989. She started playing mother roles in films. One of her notable roles was in Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989). She also appeared in the 1999 Hindi film Main Tere Pyar Mein Pagal. This movie was directed by Telugu director K. Raghavendra Rao.

Sadly, her son Abhinaya Venkatesha Karthik passed away on May 23, 2020. He was 36 years old.

Awards and Recognitions

Filmography